Carlton's Lachie Cowan suspended for two matches over illicit substance use
Carlton defender Lachie Cowan will miss the first two games of the 2027 home-and-away season after the AFL suspended him over illicit substance use last weekend.
The league found Cowan guilty of conduct unbecoming, the rule covering behaviour that damages the game's reputation. He was fined $5,000 and will sit out Rounds 1 and 2 next year, according to ABC News.
The case followed a hospital scare. Cowan was hospitalised after suffering a seizure following a house party, as reported by news.com.au. Carlton confirmed Cowan and teammate Will Hayward were both admitted to hospital under separate circumstances.
Hayward will not face the same penalty. The AFL decided not to suspend him over the house party incident involving the pair, according to Fox Sports. No suspension. No fine announced for Hayward.
The AFL said Cowan's matter would count as a notifiable adverse finding under its illicit drugs policy. That is a formal recorded strike against a player. The investigation also examined how details of the incident became public.
Cowan must now complete extra education on illicit substances and their effects. It sits on top of the training all players already have to do.
The league also confirmed a tougher system is coming. Its new illicit drugs policy starts in January. All players will be hair tested when they return to training in January, with results able to show use from three to six months earlier.
For fans, this means Carlton starts next season a defender short. Cowan, 21, has played across half-back and brings run from defence. More broadly, the January testing window puts every club on notice before a ball is kicked.
